Greece is a country of around 3,000 islands and a vast coastline measuring 13,676km, roughly the same as China. No surprise then that the best way to discover Greece’s well hidden charms is to hire a boat for a cruise.
For the curious traveller, a yacht charter in Greece via Click&Boat is the perfect way to escape the crowds of tourists flocking the country during the summer holidays and discover places that encapsulate its true character and beauty. Here are just three of them.
Kavala, a gem on a hill
Northern Greece is distinctly different from the country’s southern part due to the plethora of people and cultures that mingled there throughout its long history. It is also a boating destination that not many sailing enthusiasts are familiar with, charmed by Greece’s more famous tourist attractions. One of its brightest gems is the city of Kavala, perched on a slope by the Bay of Kavala in Eastern Macedonia, just a few miles from Thessaloniki and the peninsula of Chalkidiki. The view of the tranquil Aegean sea from the Byzantine castle towering over the city will take your breath away. A cup of Greek coffee at one of the numerous cafes at the city’s long quay is also a must if you spend your holiday there.
If you opt for a yacht charter in Greece and start your cruise from Kavala you will have the opportunity to explore some of Greece’s most beautiful and less known islets and beaches. An excursion to the northern part of the Aegean sea can take you to Thasos, a green island just a few miles from Kavala, and then to the small islands of Agios Eustratios and Psara – both tiny dots on the map where time has stopped.
Nafpaktos, a city with many stories to tell
Nafpaktos is a small city in Western Greece with a great history. Known as ‘Lepanto’ in the Middle Ages, it was the site of one of the most important naval battles in history: the battle of Levanto in 1571, which saw the Holy League inflict a blow to the Ottoman Empire’s dominance of the seas, thus halting its hitherto unchallenged expansion. This is also the battle where the legendary Spanish writer Miguel Cervantes lost his arm. Travellers can today visit the site of the battle and pay their respects to this master of the written word who gave us Don Quixote, one of the most iconic characters in world history. The city itself has many unique experiences to offer to the visitor – to catch a glimpse of history check the famous Venetian castle and the landmark clock-bell at the harbour. A yacht charter in Greece can take you from Athens to Nafpaktos through the Corinth Canal and then to nearby Missolonghi where another famous poet, Lord Byron, passed away, or Patras in the Peloponnese.
Discover Galaxidi with a yacht charter in Greece
As far as places of a great maritime tradition go, Galaxidi is a true gem unbeknownst to most tourists visiting Greece. A small town just a few miles aforementioned Nafpaktos, it has become a popular weekend break destination among Greeks over the last few years due to its proximity to Athens and its picturesque allure. The town’s port used to be a maritime centre of great importance throughout Greece’s modern history, while the locals are famous for their sailing and shipbuilding skills. As for the town’s unique architecture, the coloured houses by the sea may remind you of Italy’s famous seaside towns of Portofino and Cinque Terre.
